Hair colorants

What are they? Hair colorants are classified as cosmetic products in Australia. They range from temporary applications that are readily washed out, to semi-permanent and permanent hair colour. Hair colorant products contain a mixture of hair dyes and other ingredients. Use of hair colorants is a personal choice and many people use these products to help them look and feel their best, whether by changing their natural hair colour or covering grey hair.What’s the myth? Hair dyes have been blamed for a range of health effects, from allergies to cancer.FACT: Hair colorants are regulated for safety in Australia As cosmetic products, hair colorants are regulated by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS). All ingredients in cosmetic products sold in Australia must be included in the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS) or be officially approved by NICNAS. NICNAS assesses all new industrial chemicals and chemicals already in use on a priority basis, e.g. in response to concerns about their safety on health or environmental grounds. Ingredients used in cosmetic, personal care and household products are also regulated for safety by the Advisory Committee on Chemicals Scheduling (ACCS), which sets controls and use instructions for more hazardous ingredients. Certain hair colorant ingredients, such as PPD (paraphenylenediamine) are regulated by scheduling, and products containing these ingredients must provide specific warnings on the label. Addtionally, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has strong powers to remove unsafe products from sale.FACT: Allergic reaction to specific ingredients used in hair colorant can occur, but does so infrequently in susceptible individuals Certain hair colorant ingredients can cause allergic reaction in susceptible individuals, just as allergic reactions occur to a whole range of other things including foods, pollen and insect bites. However, severe allergic reactions are rare: figures from Europe show that marked allergic reaction to hair colorants occurs in only approximately three out of every million applications (i.e 0.0003% of uses).[1] However, because of the small chance of allergy, hair colorant products carry warnings and recommend that a skin allergy test be done 48-hours before use. This test needs to be performed each time the product is used, as sensitivity can develop with repeated use. Also, all hair colorants are required by law to include a full list of product ingredients. In the event of an allergic reaction, patch-testing by a dermatologist could help identify which ingredient led to the reaction, and which must be avoided in the future. One known allergen is PPD. This ingredient or its derivatives are used in many permanent hair colorants. However, only a small proportion of the population develop PPD allergy as a result of hair colorant use; a 2008 German study put this figure at 0.2% of the general population.[2]FACT: There is no conclusive evidence that hair colorants are linked to cancer There have been a number of studies investigating a possible link between use of hair colorant and various cancers. Studies into the possible link between hair colorant use and bladder cancer have been inconsistent, with some studies showing no increased risk and others showing increased risk. A slightly increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been found, although this finding was linked to hair dye use since before 1980. No links between hair colorant use and breast cancers has been found.[3] The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers personal hair dye use to be "not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans". However IARC has concluded that workplace exposure as a hairdresser or barber is "probably carcinogenic to humans". In particular, some studies have found an increased risk of bladder cancer in these professions.The bottom line? Hair dyes are safe to use according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Hair colorants have been extensively studied for potential adverse health effects. Only products that are safe for human use are allowed in the Australian consumer marketplace. Noting that there is a risk of allergy for some individuals, make sure that you read the product label and follow all precautions before use. Sources:[1] The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association, www.thefactsabout.co.uk/files/22112011143021hair_colorants_final.pdf[2] Schnuch, A., Lessman, H. Frosch, P. J. and Uter, W. 2008, para-Phenylenediamine: the profile of an important allergen. Results of the IVDK, British Journal of Dermatology 159, pp 379-386[3] National Cancer Institute 2011, Hair Dyes and Cancer Risk FactSheet